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Watch: Fijian Drua score quickest try in Super Rugby Women’s history
By Finn Morton at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Super Rugby Women’s couldn’t have gotten off to a more breathtaking start in 2025 with Fijian Drua’s Vitalina Naikore scoring less than 10 seconds into the new season, which began with a Grand Final rematch against the NSW Waratahs at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
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Less than six months out from the Rugby World Cup in England, last week’s season launch for the new Super Rugby Women’s season felt like another milestone for the growth of the sport, with little girls having the chance to throw the ball around with their sporting heroes.
Excitement and anticipation for the new Super Rugby Women’s season was at an all-time high it seemed, with the World Cup an added motivation for all players. But first, the battle to potentially impress national selectors awaited in the domestic competition.
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After taking out the title last season with an emphatic 50-14 win over the Drua in the big dance, there was a sense of expectation hanging over the Waratahs at home, although they were missing Wallaroos Piper Duck and Desiree Miller who are currently out injured.
The Drua were the first side to run out onto the hallowed turf of Allianz Stadium, followed by the Waratahs, and finally all the pre-season talk was done. Now was the time for players to make their mark, and no one did that more than Naikore early on.
With Waratahs backrower Ruby Anderson letting the ball bounce off the kick-off, Naikore was able to put boot to ball, with the kind bounce sitting up perfectly for the outside centre who placed the ball down less than 10 seconds after the kick-off.
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Naikore, who has represented Fiji in international rugby union and also the North Queensland Cowboys in rugby league, was embraced by a couple of teammates before running back to halfway and preparing for the Tahs’ response.
“Oh wow! That’s got to be the fastest try in Super Rugby Women’s history. 10 seconds had elapsed and immediately it is Vitalina Naikore dotting down,” commentator Andrew Swain said on the RugbyPass TV broadcast.
“Unbelievable start.”
The conversion was successful, which gave the visitors an early 7-nil lead. Another penalty goal soon after saw the Drua take a lead beyond a converted try, with their set-piece dominance laying the platform for their commanding performance.
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Fortunately for the Waratahs and their fans watching, the hosts were the next to strike with winger Maya Stewart cutting inside along the right touchline. But with the unsuccessful conversion, the Drua still held a five-point advantage midway through the first term.
Josifini Neihamu scored the one other try during the first half, with the Drua talking a well-earned 20-5 leading into the sheds at the break.
